The term Qin in Chinese means "to seize or catch", the way a snake seizes a mouse or a crane seizes an insect. Na means "to hold and control". Therefor the term Qin Na can be translated as "seize and control".

Qin Na is one of the four basic elements that comprise practically all Chinese fighting styles. The elements are typically enumerated as:

However, some of the applications of the first three groups can be used for "controlling" the opponent and are therefor categorized as Qin Na as well. For example, grabbing techniques control and lock the opponents joints or tendons, pressing techniques can be used to numb limbs or block Qi causing paralysis, striking techniques applied to nerve plexi can even be deadly. Because of this range of actions Qin Na techniques are generally categorized as:

This is a technique that prevents your opponent from
breathing, causing him to pass out. This includes
finger strikes to the
Tiantu (the cavity/dimple just above the
center of your
clavicle), striking the muscles that extend
just below the ribs
(causing them to retract in pain), finally the most
difficult but most effective technique is a nerve
ending strike in the armpit, above the
right nipple, or just below the sternum.

The first three categories require merely practice and strength on the part of the student. The latter require what the Chinese call Jin, martial power or internal strength, advanced knowledge of human anatomy and Qi flow, as well as rigorous training in specialized hand techniques from a qualified master.

In 527 A.D. the Shaolintemple began extensive training and cataloguing of martial arts techniques. There are records of Buddhistmonks from Japan staying at Shaolin that date back to the 1300s. Shortly after Gongfu spread to Japan as "Kenpo" (which is essentially the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese "Kungfu") where the Chinese elements of martial technique diversified into the correlating styles Karate (punching, kicking), Judo (Shuai Jiao), and Aikido (controlling).